Coca-Cola Co. plans to remove the word "Classic" from packages of its flagship cola in the United States, aiming to appeal to a wider audience of consumers, an industry newsletter said on Friday.

The change is part of "a broader plan and strategy to revitalize the brand," said Beverage Digest, citing Hendrik Steckhan, president of Coke North America's carbonated soft drink business.

According to the report, Steckhan said removing the word may enhance appeal to younger consumers, since "some people interpreted it like a vintage car." Removing "Classic" "may take one source of confusion away" about Coke's contemporary qualities, he said.

A Coke spokesman was not immediately available to comment.

According to Beverage Digest, the world's largest soft drink maker is already selling some bottles of Coca-Cola without the word "Classic." Coca-Cola added the description to its brand name in 1985, after it introduced "New Coke," which had a different formula from the original.

About 1.7 billion cases of Coke Classic were sold in U.S. supermarkets, drug stores and convenience stores in 2007, according to Beverage Digest, whose data excludes sales at Wal-Mart Stores Inc

Friday, January 30, 2009

Surrounded by huge projections of scantily clad supermodels from photographer Russell James’s new book, partygoers at Donna Karan’s Urban Zen space couldn’t help but fantasize about who else they’d like to see naked. “I’d like to see Obama naked,” Alan Cumming mused. But get your mind out of the gutter; the actor is curious simply from a scientific standpoint, to prove a theory.“I think great leaders, charismatic leaders and men who are so confident and who have achieved so much, usually have big penises,” Cumming told us. “I think there’s a correlation between the level of confidence, the level of the way a man can hold a room and the way he conducts himself in life, with his penis size — with his comfort with his penis size.”

Cumming developed this theory, he says, through extensive research. “So much of male psyche is taken up with how big your cock is; it’s a huge deal in our lives, and so when you’re confident about your penis size, it shows.”And his highly trained eye says Obama is hung. “Well, just look at him,” Professor Cumming explained. “Just the way he’s so kind of elegant and very confident in his body and himself.”

“Also,” Alan added as an afterthought, “someone told me that they worked out with him in a gym in Chicago, and it was big.”

Madonna will take her children to the U.S. to live after reportedly winning a residency battle with ex-husband Guy Ritchie. The singer has received temporary permission to take her two sons - Rocco, eight, and adopted three-year-old David - to her native U.S, according to London's Evening Standard newspaper.

The decision is expected to be made permanent in mid-February.

A source tells the newspaper, "Everything is going to be resolved in the next couple of weeks. Everything is going well. It's pretty amicable at the moment. Things are progressing."

The couple announced their separation in October - with the superstar citing Ritchie's "unreasonable behavior" as reason for divorce - and was granted a preliminary split on November 21st.

It was undecided if their sons would live with Ritchie in the U.K., where the family resided before the split, or with the singer in New York - but now the court has reportedly decided in Madonna's favor.

The publication alleges the boys will divide their time between London and the Big Apple, and receive their education in the U.S.

Lourdes, the pop star's 12-year-old daughter from another relationship with Carlos Leon, will remain with her mother.

It's an Absolutely Fabulous Friday, so there's no better way than to enjoy it by listening to the 1994's Pet Shop Boys hit "Absolutely Fabulous", based on the hit BBC show with the same name.This song was released as a single for the 1994's Comic Relieft concert. It features features dialogues taken from the BBC show.The single peaked at #6 on the UK Singles Chart and #7 on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play charts.Enjoy it!

Madonna's phenomenally successful 'Sticky & Sweet Tour', already the #1 Biggest Grossing Tour in history for a solo artist, will embark on another series of shows beginning July 4th in London. (Schedule follows this release). Stops will include appearances in never before played markets such as Werchter Belgium, Marseille France, Hamburg Germany, Oslo Norway, Helsinki Finland, Tallinn Estonia, Ljubljana Slovenia as well as stops in Romania, Hungary, Serbia and Bulgaria it was confirmed today by Live Nation. Additional appearances by Madonna will include return visits after more than 15 years to Madrid, Gothenburg and Munich.

"This is a first for me. I've never extended a tour before. I'm excited to be going back on the road, visiting places I've never been and returning to places I love" commented Madonna about the new run of dates.

Raves around the globe for the tour include the London Times which remarked, "In the premiere league of song-and-dance spectaculars, the queen of pop remains unrivaled and undefeated." "The choreography, visuals and live talent were world class and mind-blowingly well executed, intelligent and witty," glowed The Independent (UK).

In 2008, the 'Sticky & Sweet Tour' was seen by 2,350,285 fans in 58 cities. With record breaking ticket sales everywhere, including 650,000 tickets sold in her series of South American dates, 72,000 tickets at Zurich's Dübendorf Airfield - the largest audience ever assembled for a show in Switzerland, 75,000 tickets in London and four sell outs in New York's Madison Square Garden (60,364 tickets).

"This new run of dates will further solidify Madonna's position as one of the top selling touring artists of all time," said Arthur Fogel, Live Nation's Chairman of Global Music and CEO of Global Touring/Artist Nation.

Special Guest for Sticky & Sweet 2009, Paul Oakenfold has long been one of the most important--if not the most important--name in modern club culture. He has remixed The Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dog, Muse, New Order, The Cure, Massive Attack and even Elvis Presley, and produced The Happy Mondays. The two-time Grammy nominee is in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the biggest DJ in the world. His new artist album, Pop Killer, is due out later this year.

Madonna's multi-Grammy-nominated CD, Hard Candy, debuted at Number One in over 37 countries.

For further Madonna news, including tour schedule, please visit www.madonna.com.

Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer have reportedly ended their on/off relationship for good, after the rocker was allegedly spotted kissing another woman.The couple has been at the centre of growing speculation about the state of their relationship in recent weeks, with internet gossips publishing conflicting reports over whether they have in fact split.

Aniston and Mayer parted ways at the end of last summer after several months of dating, but rekindled their love affair in October, with the actress claiming that they were unable to stay away from each other after the break-up.

But their romance looks like it could be on the rocks once again, according to In Touch magazine.

The publication reports that Mayer was seen enjoying an intimate date with a blonde woman in Santa Monica, California on Wednesday night.

A source tells the magazine, "They were obviously on a date. He came in with her another time too and I’ve seen them out together. He gave her a long kiss before they left. John has been here six times in the last two weeks but never with Jen."

Representatives for Aniston and Mayer could not be reached for comment.

They allege Mr McDermott has been regularly logging on to the site, developed by the team as a high-tech trap. They now claim he is on a boat travelling along the Mexico coastline to South America.

"When you're running you always are looking over your shoulder and we're going to catch him looking at us. The most interesting hits have come directly from Cabo San Lucas (in Mexico), the last place anybody saw Patrick McDermott," investigator Philip Klein said.

Mr McDermott, who had been in a relationship with Newton-John for nine years, disappeared from chartered fishing boat The Freedom of California in 2005. He was 48.

Mr Klein, who was hired by US current affairs programme Dateline, said he believed that the former cameraman had disappeared so he could avoid paying debts and enable his teenage son to receive a $150,000 life insurance payout.

A lawsuit involving late actor Heath Ledger's $10 million life insurance policy has been settled, according to new reports. An attorney for the tragic star, who died one year ago, sued ReliaStar Life Insurance Company last year, claiming the firm's bosses refused to pay out death benefits pending an investigation on whether his death was a suicide.

A coroner later ruled Ledger died from an accidental prescription drug overdose.

Documents indicate a court guardian will be appointed to represent the policy's beneficiary, Matilda, Ledger's three-year-old daughter with actress ex Michelle Williams.

Veteran entertainer Marie Osmond will return to American TV sets after signing a deal for her own talk show.Osmond will focus on her off-stage life as a single mum-of-eight on new show Marie, after finalising a deal with Wnbc to air the programme debuting in the autumn.

The show will be aired from Las Vegas, where Osmond currently resides and holds a long-term performance contract with older brother, Donny.

The 49-year-old recently enjoyed a TV stint on on reality competition series Dancing with the Stars in 2007; the siblings also co-hosted a comedy-variety show in the late 1990s.

No-nonsense chef Gordon Ramsay returns for a fifth season of take-no-prisoners mentoring with a new crew of 16 aspiring chefs, whom he puts through a series of stressful, profanity-laced challenges.The winner who manages to please the demanding Ramsay will win the position of head chef at Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa.In other Ramsey news...Fox plans Gordon Ramsay cook-along, but no F-bombs are allowed.How will he do it?Fox is looking to do at least one live special where "Hell's Kitchen" star Gordon Ramsay shows viewers how to make a dinner.The program will urge viewers to make a three-course homemade meal along with the world-famous chef. "It has been picked up, and I can't wait for it to go live," Ramsay said Wednesday. "My frustration is that most cooking shows don't really cook ... their ingredients are prepped earlier, that's not cooking ... it's nice to show the journey from live ingredient to (finished meal)."No air date has been set for Ramsay's modern-day take on Julia Child, though the network is eyeing spring or fall. If the one-off is successful, the network hopes to do more specials, though it doesn't see the format as likely working as a weekly series.The format is based on the chef's U.K. version of the project called "Cook Along," which prompted thousands of viewers to hold cooking parties along with the show. Viewers are told which ingredients they'll need ahead of time and then are breezily led through the cooking process. Fox plans to intercut shots of a few families cooking as well.Last year, Fox gave Ramsay a blind commitment for an as-yet-unannounced new series and the live special as part of a new overall deal with the chef.

Last season's American Idol winner David Cook and runner-up David Archuleta announced separate tours that kick off next month.Cook, 26, will premiere his first solo tour – The Declaration Tour 2009 – on Feb. 13 in Tallahassee, Fla. His tour will continue across the country at college campuses through April 25, ending at the University of Tulsa. "There's something inherently nostalgic about playing college shows," said Cook on his website. "So many amazing acts used to do it, so it's nice to be able to bring that ideal back in some small way."Season 7 runner-up Archuleta, 18, kicks off his first solo tour on Feb. 24 in Virginia Beach, Va., according to his MySpace blog. His 20-city tour ends on March 21 in Boise, Idaho.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Page Sixis reporting that Madonna spent last weekend with Alex Rodriguez at the East Hampton home of comedian Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld.According to Page Six Madonna spent the majority of the time complaining about the leaked photos from one of her Hard Candy photos shoots. The photos weren’t used for the album because they weren’t very flattering, and in many of them Madonna shows her age.

Page Six reported: A snitch said, “Madonna called up the label screaming when the photos got out.”

"While nobody likes to look at ugly pictures of themselves, Madonna should really learn to embrace her age. She is 50 for Godsakes, and actually looks pretty good for a middle-aged woman. Her body is rock solid, but unfortunately one of the repercussions of aging and working yourself like an Olympic athlete is less body fat—which means less padding for skin that’s lost it’s elasticity."

Donny Osmond has let slip that he is about to step into his sister Marie's shoes – her dancing shoes.While next season's stars have yet to be announced for the ABC hit Dancing with the Stars, Donny appeared with Marie for a Monday taping of the syndicated The Bonnie Hunt Show for an episode scheduled to air Tuesday.Asked by his TV hostess if, like his sister, he'd ever consider doing Dancing, the former teen idol, 51, flashed his trademark smile and said, "Well, I guess I am making an announcement. I'll say I am seriously considering doing it, let's put it that way."Never one for a poker face, Osmond added with a laugh, "I guess I just let the cat out of the bag."On Dancing's fifth season, Marie, 49, was paired with pro dancer Jonathan Roberts. Not that hers was an easy contest. She passed out after a samba the fifth week, family patriarch George Osmond died the seventh week, and her scores from the judges as the season wound down resembled a roller-coaster track.

Won't Be UpstagedEven so, her older sibling told Hunt, "I can't let my sister upstage me. Besides, who do you think taught her how to dance?""That not fair!" snapped back Marie. "The men do half the work.""That's why I'm doing it, baby," Donny teased. "It is going to be very difficult because I am going to be doing [the Osmonds' Las Vegas show] on top of doing Dancing with the Stars."Like a referee, Hunt said, "I think it is going to be fabulous to watch you on the show, Donny. We're gonna love it. You are a natural-born performer."Interjected Marie: "I just want to see him in stretchy pants."

This is reportedly a new photo of Sylvester Stallone, 62, who is showing off his veins for a movie called "The Expendables".The movie's reportedly about a mercenary who takes out a South American dictator in the fictional country of Corza. Sly will direct and star alongside Jet Li, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Forest Whitaker and Randy Couture.Not bad looking for a 62 year "old" man!

My friend, MUZOPHILE, has shared with the world this sneak peak of Kelly Clarkson's video to her newest single, "My Life Would Suck Without You".I personally love it and am ecstatic to see Kelly is headed back to the top of the charts with this incredible song.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

The quest to make an American version of "Absolutely Fabulous," which has been going on for more than a decade, will continue at FOX.The network has handed out a pilot order for a remake of the classic Britcom, with series co-creator/star Jennifer Saunders involved as an executive producer. "Ab Fab," the tale of two besotted best friends (Saunders and Joanna Lumley) debuted on the BBC in 1992 and aired on and off through 2004. It also gained a cult following in this country through airings on Comedy Central, PBS and BBC America. Its popularity led to several stabs at Americanized versions of the show, notably a mid-'90s project produced by Roseanne Barr that was to star Carrie Fisher.Neither that project, nor any other remake, ever made it as far as filming a pilot, although the show did seem to be a pretty clear inspiration for series like "Cybill" and CBS' short-lived "High Society."The new version is being written by Christine Zander, whose credits include "3rd Rock from the Sun" and "Saturday Night Live." Zander will also exec produce, along with Saunders, Ian Moffitt, Mitch Hurwitz ("Arrested Development") and Kim and Eric Tannenbaum ("Two and a Half Men").The Americanized version of AbFab is scheduled to appear on your televisions later this year.Let's hope it makes it...Sweetie, Dahlin'!

The saga of Bonnie and Clyde is headed for another film telling, with Hilary Duff and Kevin Zegers in negotiations to play the infamous 1930s bank robbers.

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were Depression-era lovers and outlaws whose exploits captured the public's imagination. Their story has hit the big screen several times, with 1967's "Bonnie and Clyde," starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, considered a classic.

Tonya S. Holly, who is directing the indie drama "The Story of Bonnie and Clyde," stresses that the new film is not a remake and will showcase periods in the couple's lives not seen onscreen before. Holly first became interested in the story of the fugitive lovers after finding old newspaper articles about their exploits in an abandoned house on her family's property.

Holly recently wrote, produced and directed the family film "When I Find the Ocean," which stars Lee Majors, Diane Ladd and Graham Greene.

Zegers' credits include "The Stone Angel," "The Jane Austen Book Club" and "Transamerica." The actor most recently starred with Ben Kingsley and Jim Sturgess in "Fifty Dead Men Walking."

Best picture Oscar nominee "Milk" picked up another awards nod Wednesday as the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation announced nominations for its 20th annual GLAAD Media Awards.

"Milk," from Focus Features, the specialty division of Universal Pictures, was included in GLAAD's outstanding film in wide release category. It will compete with Miramax's "Brideshead Revisited," Columbia's "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," Warner Bros.' "RocknRolla" and the Weinstein Co.'s "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

Among television contenders, the nominees for outstanding drama series are ABC's "Brothers & Sisters," Showtime's "The L Word," The N's "South of Nowhere," BBC America's "Torchwood" and HBO's "True Blood."

The awards honor media representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in 26 English-language and 15 Spanish-language categories. They will be presented at a series of dinners: March 28 at the Marriott Marquis in New York, April 18 at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles and May 9 at the Hilton San Francisco.

In New York, special honorees will include Tyra Banks, set to receive the Excellence in Media Award, and Suze Orman, receiving the Vito Russo Award. Honorees for Los Angeles and San Francisco will be announced later.

Special recognition awards will be presented to "The Laramie Project, 10 Years Later: The Lasting Legacy of Matthew Shepard," a two-hour documentary broadcast on Sirius XM Radio, and to Lucia Mendez, an actress and singer who campaigned to bring awareness to the issue of LGBT teen suicide.

The Mayor of Portland, Oregon has said he "still has a very positive contribution to make" despite admitting he lied about his relationship with a teenager.

Sam Adams admitted last week that he had sex with Beau Breedlove during the summer of 2005, but only after he had turned 18.

Mr Adams, who was elected last year and took office on January 1st, had denied their relationship was sexual for at least 18 months.

Mr Breedlove was 17 and working as a state legislative intern when he met then-City Commissioner Adams.

Mr Adams publicly admitted on Tuesday that his previous assertions that he was merely "mentoring" Beau Breedlove for a career in politics had no foundation and were simply a front for their sexual relationship.

He apologised to Portland's voters.

The Oregon Attorney General is to investigate if Mr Adams is telling the truth - if he had sex with Mr Breedlove when he was 17 he has broken state law, which stipulates no-one under 18 can give consent to sexual acts.

The Mayor seems to have deciced to stay, and apologised again in a video posted on his website last night.

"Tomorrow, I go back to work as your mayor. I know I have made big mistakes. I know I have let you down. And I ask for your forgiveness.

"I believe I still have a very positive contribution to make — to put to work the 20 years of public service to the good of Portland. And as I do this, I pledge to you: I will work harder than I have ever worked before to make sure Portland meets our challenges.

"These are some of the toughest times we've ever faced. The worst recession in 60 years, one of the highest national unemployment rates, some of the toughest business landscape we've ever seen.

"Now, rightfully, I know Portlanders are not going to rely on my words, and will look to my ability to deliver results to them in the coming months.

"And as we do this work together, with the lessons that I've learned in hand, I will work each and every day to restore your trust and faith in me as a public servant.

"I want to thank everyone who has sent me letters and texts and emails of support. I want to thank everyone who has sent me questions and who have, rightfully, sent me criticisms.

"I look forward to working with all of you to make sure that Portland moves forward."

Last week a local gay magazine joined the Portland Business Journal, The Oregonian and the Portland Tribune in calling for Mayor Adams to resign.

"By his own admission, by committing the act of lying to the citizens of Portland, Adams has failed to show the principled character that this publication feels is a basic requirement for an elected official, " the Just Out editorial board said.

"Just Out acknowledges that over his two decades as a public servant Adams has risen to become one of Oregon's most revered openly gay leaders.

"The bond of trust and confidence has been broken. Adams has previously stated his hope that gay and lesbian youth might one day look to him as a role model and example.

ABC has announced the creation of a Thursday night comedy block and has scheduled airtimes for two of its midseason comedies.

Starting March 26, the network will air single-mom comedy "In the Motherhood" on Thursdays at 8 p.m. and move the Christina Applegate-starring sitcom "Samantha Who?" from Mondays to Thursdays at 8:30 p.m.

The usual occupant of that hour, "Ugly Betty," will take a rare hiatus, then will return to the slot later in the season after "Motherhood" and "Samantha" finish their short-order runs.

ABC also has scheduled the office sitcom "Better Off Ted," which will air Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. starting March 18, paired in the hour with "Scrubs."

The Thursday move puts ABC's comedy block head-to-head with NBC's "My Name Is Earl" and "Kath & Kim," which have slipped in the ratings in recent months. ABC is not the first competitor to see an opportunity in the hour. Just last week Fox moved medical drama "Bones" into the same slot and won first place.

The move also represents one of the first hints that ABC might be getting frustrated with the performance of "Betty," which has served as a dependable yet relatively modest lead-in for top-rated "Grey's Anatomy."

The network has yet to schedule one midseason comedy, Mike Judge's animated comedy "The Goode Family." It's considered a challenge because ABC does not have other animated shows with which to pair it.

Michael Jackson will help develop his ground-breaking "Thriller" video into a musical theater production, producers said on Monday.Jackson's 1982 "Thriller" album is the world's biggest selling album and the theater production will recreate the tale of the 14-minute horror film spoof based on the title song. In the video, a young couple are on a date when the boy -- played by Jackson in the video -- becomes a werewolf.

"This musical will be the exclusive Michael Jackson authorized version of 'Thriller' and Jackson will participate in every aspect of the creative process," said the Nederland Organization, which has acquired the rights to the musical.

"Thriller The Musical" will include songs from "Thriller" and Jackson's 1979 album "Off The Wall."

The "Thriller" video, featuring dancing zombies and horror film star Vincent Price, was first aired in 1983 and became a staple of MTV. It was directed by filmmaker John Landis, who said it cost $500,000 -- about 10 times the cost of the standard music video of the time.

Jackson's spokesman, Dr. Tohme Tohme, said in the Nederland Organization statement: "The Nederlanders and Michael Jackson represent live theater and musical excellence, so let the music begin."

Jackson, 50, is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time and began his musical career with his siblings in the Motown group the Jackson 5 before starting a solo career.

But the singer has been dogged since the 1990s by scandal and revelations about his eccentric lifestyle. He was tried and acquitted of child sex abuse charges in 2005.

Jackson also has been plagued with financial troubles in the past few years and narrowly averted a foreclosure sale of his Neverland Ranch in May. In November, he handed over the title of Neverland to a company made up of himself and the firm that holds the $24 million loan on the property.

Ty, Inc. likely hoped controversy would stoke sales of its Sasha and Malia dolls, preposterously claimed unrelated to the president's daughters. But the company overshot: you do not cross the First Lady.

Ty is the company behind the once-wildly-popular Beanie Babies, and it was totally obvious its intent with the newly-released "Sweet Sasha" and "Marvelous Malia"installments of the "TyGirlz Collection" was to create another mass doll craze that would capitalize on the popularity of the First Family. Telling an incredulous media the dolls had nothing to do with the Obamas generated free advertising even as it protected the company legally.

But turnabout is fair play. Now Michelle Obama is leveraging her tremendous popularity as the chicest First Lady in decades to make the company pay a hefty PR price for its stunt.Her spokeswoman slammed the dolls in the Times:

“We feel it is inappropriate to use young, private citizens for marketing purposes,” Katie McCormick Lelyveld, Mrs. Obama’s press secretary, said in a statement on Saturday.No comments were made by representatives of Ty, Inc.

Comedy series "30 Rock" was a triple winner at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night, but Hollywood was toasting "Slumdog Millionaire" and Heath Ledger.After claiming gold at the Golden Globe Awards and Producers Guild Awards, director Danny Boyle's acclaimed movie, "Slumdog Millionaire", was named the Best Film at the SAGs, making it a clear favorite for the big prize at the Oscars.Meanwhile, Kate Winslet's amazing 2009 continued as she claimed a Best Supporting Actress accolade for her role in "The Reader", and Ledger was again posthumously honoured for his work as The Joker in "The Dark Knight".The tragic star's co-star Gary Oldman admitted he was "quite emotional" as he stepped up to accept Ledger's honor. Oldman called the Aussie an "extraordinary young man with an extraordinary talent.""The Dark Knight" was among the night's double winners after claiming the Best Stunt Ensemble prior to the actual start of the prizegiving.Meryl Streep and Sean Penn claimed the SAGs for Best Actress and Actor respectively.

The full list of winners is:Outstanding Performance by a Female Actress in a Comedy Series - Tina Fey (30 Rock)Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series - Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in A Comedy Series - 30 RockOutstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series - Hugh Laurie (House)Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series - Sally Field (Brothers & Sisters)Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Mad MenOutstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a TV Movie/Miniseries - Laura Linney (John Adams)Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie/Miniseries - Paul Giamatti (John Adams)Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role - Sean Penn (Milk)Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role - Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role - Meryl Streep (Doubt)Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role - Kate Winslet (The Reader)Outstanding Performance by a Cast in A Motion Picture - Slumdog MillionaireOutstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture - The Dark KnightOutstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a TV Series - HeroesScreen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award - James Earl Jones

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Drew Barrymore recently admitted that a third Charlie’s Angels movie is in the works.Drew told E!’s Marc Malkin that she’s excited to be reuniting once again with Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu to film part III of the Charlie’s Angels movie series.Although she admits the films are grueling and hard to make physically—they are also insanely lucrative. The two first movies have brought in $544 million worldwide.

A teaser from this past Thursday's episode of "The Tyra Banks Show" asks the question, "Would your man go gay-for-pay?"

The talk show host tackled the contentious topic of gay-for-pay adult performers with guests Dean Coxx, Aaron James and Kurt Wild; all three profess to be heterosexual.

The subject has been hotly debated in recent weeks by gay adult producers and consumers in various online forums.

Here is a portion of the interview where Dean Coxx is questioned by Tyra about his profession. It also includes the viewpoint of Coxx's girlfriend, Courtney.

Here's a brief background on the three "gay for pay" actors interviewed by Tyra.

James shares co-exclusive status with Jet Set Productions and CollegeDudes247.com . His most recent DVD for Jet Set is "Jock Tease." Last spring James was featured in an episode of the MTV reality-documentary series "True Life" titled "I'm in the Sex Industry."

Diesel is releasing a newfragrance, Only The Brave, that comes in a very peculiar bottle design. The bottle is shaped as a clenched fist, with a silver Diesel ring that spans two fingers. The design is inspired by the hand of Diesel founder Renzo Rosso.

The ad features Tony Ward, who is currently experiencing a nice revival.

Barack Obama is enjoying about a two-thirds approval rating for his first days as president, a poll released Saturday found.

The Gallup Organization survey found 68 percent of Americans approve of Obama's performance as the nation's chief executive. That's a number near the high end for new presidents, but short of President John F. Kennedy's 72 percent in 1961.

Incarcerated gay adult performer Mark Dalton has been approved for parole. He will be released from the Mineral Wells Parole Confinement Facility to his Denton, Texas hometown on February 16.

Despite having appeared only in solo vignettes and body worship videos, Dalton is one of gay adult's most popular personalities, famous for his blond good looks and brawny, muscular frame.

There are currently no plans for him to return to gay adult or make any personal appearances upon his release, said David Forest, Dalton's former manager. However, Dalton will be made available for what Forest termed private "fan appreciation meetings" via the FORESTmeetings service in the Dallas area.

The Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice Parole Board made their determination today. Dalton was denied initially denied parole one year ago this month.

Dalton’s arrest stemming from an altercation on May 31, 2007 violated the terms of an existing probation agreement related to a 2004 arrest and conviction. He was charged with two misdemeanors: Assault Causes Bodily Injury/Family Violence, and Interference with an Emergency Call.

He pled guilty and served 90 days in the Denton County Jail, and was subsequently returned to prison to await sentencing for his parole violations.

A police officer in Hollywood, Florida has been taken off duty after it was alleged he starred in a porn film five years before he joined the force.

Michael Verdugo, 34, has become well-known from his appearance on reality TV show "Design Star."

Earlier this week he was put on administrative leave with pay by the Hollywood Police Department after reports he starred in a porn film called Rope Rituals in 1996.

He joined the force in 2001.

Al Milian, Mr Verdugo's lawyer, told NBC6.net in South Florida:

"He's a great cop with a distinguished record of serving this community for many years. I think every police officer during their career are subject to investigations. The overwhelming number of allegations are always found to be unfounded. I think when you have a certain lifestyle in the 21st century, you're always going to be subject to heightened scrutiny."Mr Milian refused to comment on whether or not the allegations against his client are true.

Last year a 22-year-old was fired from a branch of sandwich chain Subway after a customer recognised him from his gay porn work and complained. Kurt Wild was employed in a restaurant near St Louis, Missouri.Source: PinkNews.co.uk

Bahamas authorities are investigating a suspected extortion attempt against actor John Travolta, whose son died there this month, and a senator was under arrest, although no charges had been filed, police said on Friday.

Police Commissioner Reginald Ferguson said his officers were investigating an extortion complaint by Travolta.

Police would not elaborate on the nature of the allegation. Media reports said it was a threat to sell pictures of Jett Travolta's body if the actor refused to pay for them himself.

Jett Travolta, 16, died on January 2 of a seizure disorder after being found unconscious at his family's home in the Old Bahama Bay resort on Grand Bahama Island.

Sen. Pleasant Bridgewater was arrested but no charges had been filed in the case, police said. Under Bahamian law, police can hold someone for 48 hours without charges.

Senior Assistant Police Commissioner Marvin Dames also said a medical worker wanted for questioning had appeared voluntarily before investigators, accompanied by a lawyer.

Member of Parliament Obie Wilchcombe, a former minister of tourism and a friend of the Travolta family, was being questioned at police headquarters in Freeport, where Bridgewater was under arrest, Dames said.

"Mr. Wilchcombe is one of those persons we need to talk to see whether he is able to help with our investigations," Dames said. "He was taken in but I don't want to suggest he was taken in and would be charged. Our investigations are fluid and so, as we go forward, there are persons of interest we need to see and talk to."

Bridgewater, a Freeport attorney, is a former member of the Bahamian parliament who was defeated in the 2007 general election. She was later appointed to the Senate.

Jett Travolta was found unconscious in a bathroom at his family's home after suffering a seizure. His father and paramedics tried to revive him but he was pronounced dead after being rushed by ambulance to a Freeport hospital. The teenager had a history of seizures.

The boy's body was cremated in the Bahamas and his ashes were returned to Florida, where Travolta and his wife, actress Kelly Preston, held a memorial service at their home near Ocala.Source: Reuters.com

The latest news about old cartoons getting a big screen makeover includes the Hanna-Barbera show Tom and Jerry, which Warner Bros. hopes to make "its own Alvin and the Chipmunks-like family franchise." Like the chipmunks, the cat and mouse will be characters who exist in a live-action world.

The plan is to "adapt the classic Hanna-Barbera property as an origin story that reveals how Tom and Jerry first meet and form their rivalry before getting lost in Chicago and reluctantly working together during an arduous journey home."No additional details about the movie have been released to the public.Tom and Jerry join a couple other Warner Bros. cartoon-turned-movie projects currently in the works: Yogi Bear and Robert Rodriguez's The Jetsons.

Heath Ledger's family gathered on Thursday at an Australian beach to remember the actor, who died a year ago and is now being honored with an Oscar nomination for The Dark Knight."We are still all nursing broken hearts," older sister Kate Ledger said Friday in Perth. "Like anyone who loses a family member, it has opened our eyes to the intense suffering and painful journey that is death."Kate and two half-sisters, Ashleigh Bell and Olivia Ledger, stood under clear blue skies at the Indiana Tea Room on Cottesloe Beach, one of Ledger's favorite spots and the site of his wake after his funeral. Ledger's father, Kim, and mother, Sally Bell, were also in attendance but did not speak to the media.Ledger, 28, died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. He left behind his 3-year-old daughter, Matilda, with actress Michelle Williams."Michelle is doing an amazing job with 'our girl' and together we will cherish every moment of her steps through life," Kate Ledger said.The actor's younger sister, Ashleigh, acknowledged his Oscar nomination Thursday for his wicked portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight, noting that "in Heath's words, he had 'the time of his life.'""Although we would love to have him here with us, we are so proud and so excited on his behalf," Ashleigh said. "We will take this opportunity today to honor his wonderful life and take comfort in knowing Heath will continue to touch future generations through this amazing art form."She added: "What an unbelievable legacy he has left for Matilda and our family."The family enjoyed a commemorative lunch in the Indiana Tea Room after speaking with the media.Source: People.com

The first gay person elected as Mayor of Portland should resign, a local LGBT publication has said.Just Out has taken a similar stance to local Oregon newspapers and called on Sam Adams to leave office less than a month after he was sworn in.

On Tuesday he publicly apologised for lying for the past 18 months about the natue of his relationship with a teenager.

He admitted that his previous assertions that he was merely "mentoring" Beau Breedlove for a career in politics had no foundation and were simply a front for their sexual relationship.

Mr Breedlove was 17 and working as a state legislative intern when he met then-City Commissioner Adams, who was elected Mayor last year and took office on January 1st.

Mayor Adams said they had sex several times during the summer of 2005, by only after Mr Breedlove turned 18.

In 2007, while considering his candidacy, Mr Adams accused another mayoral hopeful of spreading fase rumours about his relationship with Mr Breedlove and explained the "mentoring" nature of their relationship.

The Oregon Attorney General is to investigate if Mr Adams is telling the truth - if he had sex with Mr Breedlove when he was 17 he has broken state law, which stipulates no-one under 18 can give consent to sexual acts.

A local gay magazine has joined the Portland Business Journal, The Oregonian and the Portland Tribune in calling for Mayor Adams to resign.

"By his own admission, by committing the act of lying to the citizens of Portland, Adams has failed to show the principled character that this publication feels is a basic requirement for an elected official, " the Just Out editorial board said.

"Just Out acknowledges that over his two decades as a public servant Adams has risen to become one of Oregon's most revered openly gay leaders.

"This publication has long admired Adams' vision, his intelligence and his tenacity.

"Ultimately we have concluded that these qualities cannot overcome the weakness revealed in Adams' recent admission.

"Adams' apology of yesterday, including specific reference to the gay community, while sincere, is not enough.

"The bond of trust and confidence has been broken. Adams has previously stated his hope that gay and lesbian youth might one day look to him as a role model and example.

"His own actions have now rendered this implausible.

"Adams must resign his seat as Portland's Mayor."

The Oregonian reports that the Mayor is losing support.

"I've been involved in Oregon politics for a long time, and I obviously understand people's anger and frustration," he told the paper yesterday.

"Portland isn't San Francisco, it's not Los Angeles, it's not the federal level. We have a standard for our politicians, and I violated that standard.

"I need to take some time to figure out what's best for Portlanders, but I'm not going to drag it out. There's too much work to do."

Thursday, January 22, 2009

There is no better way to honor this movie legend then how the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has done today by nominating him for an Oscar for his portrayal of the Joker in "The Dark Knight".

Heath Ledger passed away on January 22, 2008, at the age of 28, from an accidental toxic combination of prescription drugs in his New York apartment.

He starred in several movie hits including Monster's Ball, 10 Things I Hate About You, Casanova, A Knight's Tale, Candy, and I'm Not There. But his most memorable role was as Ennis del Mar on the critically acclaimed movie, "Brokeback Mountain".

Congratulations to Heath on his best supporting actor nomination! May he be celebrating this special day surrounded by angels.

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